Fiji has recorded a major milestone in media freedom, moving up from 84th place in 2023 to 24th place today.
While marking World Press Freedom Day, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has welcomed this rise, saying it is not by chance and reflects deliberate decisions to restore openness, rebuild trust, and strengthen access.
Rabuka says while this is a moment to celebrate, it is also a moment to reflect, as across the Pacific there is both progress and pressure, and misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation continue to spread rapidly, especially on digital platforms.
He says the role of responsible journalism has never been more critical, and that the power to inform must never become the power to misinform.
He stresses that with press freedom comes responsibility, saying a free media must also be fair, balanced, and responsible, and that incomplete reporting, misinformation, and content that fuels division or erodes public trust have no place in a democracy.
The Prime Minister says government removed restrictive media laws, including the Media Industry Development Authority framework, because it believed Fiji deserved a more open and confident media environment, choosing engagement over control, accessibility over distance, and transparency over restriction.
He says they have also supported the sustainability of the industry through direct financial support, including public service broadcasting grants to media organisations.
He says government acknowledges comments by Pacific Islands News Association President Kalafi Moala that there can be no lasting peace without truth, and no truth without a free and independent media.
Rabuka says they have also acknowledged concerns raised by the Fijian Media Association regarding pressures on journalists, including legal processes and evolving media practices.
He says government remains committed to constructive dialogue, adding that the relationship between the Government and the media must be based on mutual respect and a shared commitment to serving the public.
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to media freedom, while calling for responsible freedom exercised with integrity, balance, and professionalism.
